Label stacking

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for stacking labels or the like, employing cooperative apparatus that advances the individual labels successively to stacking comb means, where the previously advanced and stacked labels are momentarily elevated on a specially controlled basis, for insertion of the individual label beneath the stack portion and above the comb means, with unique reciprocated control means on the forming stack.

United States Patent Drent 1 Feb. 22, 1972 [54] LABEL STACKING [56]References Cited [72] lnventor: Donald H. Drent, Belding, Mich. UNITEDSTATES PATENTS [73] Assignee: Rospatch Corporation, Grand Rapids,3,291,477 12/1966 Rehr ..93/93 DP Mich 3,550,349 12/1970 Kerker ..93/93DP [2. Filed: y 1970 Primary Examiner-Wayne A. Morse,Jr. [211 pp No 37621 Attorney-Price, Heneveld, Huizenga & Cooper [57] ABSTRACT Apparatusfor stacking labels or the like, employing coopera- [52] US. Cl. ..93/93DP, 53/242, 271/35, tive apparatus that advances the individual labelssuccessively 271/61 to stacking comb means, where the previouslyadvanced and [51 lm. Cl. .3311 l/98, B65b 27/08, B65c 9/10 Stackedlabels are momentarily elevated on a specially of Search trolled basis,for insertion Of the individual label beneath the 5 5 stack portion andabove the comb means, with unique reciprocated control means on theforming stack.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures SHEET 1 OF 2 m T n a 3 M INVENTOR. flax/41.0M 025.07

LABEL STACKING RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related tocopending application, Ser. No. 807,894 filed Mar. 17, 1969, now US.Pat. No. 3,601,950, issued Aug. 31, 1971, and entitled Label Handlingand Stacking Apparatus."

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to label handlingapparatus, and more particularly to apparatus cooperable with a labelcut and fold mechanism for automatically and controllably forming stacksof labels or like articles as for packing into containers.

In the manufacture of clothing labels, the label stock is normallyinitially advanced in the form of a ribbon or strip, and is then cutinto individual labels. Commonly, these out labels are folded with anend fold, a center fold, a miter fold, or some other fold configuration,as well as sometimes remaining unfolded. They are then stacked andpacked into containers, e.g., elongated trays and/or cartons.

In the above identified copending patent application is disclosedapparatus for automatically stacking and packing such items. Suchapparatus has been found extremely useful for eliminating certaintedious and time consuming manual operations. Further, it has been foundthat such apparatus is capable of handling labels at more rapidproduction rates than previously. However, it was discovered that, attheextremely rapid stacking rates of which the apparatus was capable,the forming label stack sometimes became somewhat disorganized, eventhough retained within the vertical guide elements at the label corners.Hence, full potential of the apparatus could not be realized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide anapparatus for automatically stacking small sheetlike articles,particularly labels for clothing and other cloth goods, at very highoutput rates, from a label cut and fold machine, while retaining theforming stack in constant neat array. The individual labels are rapidlyadvanced and inserted beneath the forming label stack which ismomentarily elevated and then lowered again before reelevation with theadded label as part of it. The improved apparatus incorporates arelatively simple and inexpensive, yet highly effective stack retainerdevice that maintains stack organization during high speed verticallyreciprocating movement of the stack during its formation, yet allowsvertical stack discharge.

The stacking apparatus, employing the combination of comb supportsinterleafed with elevating fingers and receiving individually advancedlabels inserted beneath an elevated stack, has a special verticallyshiftable stack retainer and stabilizer device on the top of the formingstack. The retainer means is shiftable upwardly and downwardly with theelevating stack in synchronism therewith, in a path causing it torepeatedly stabilize the stack during vertical reciprocation, and moveout of the stack path during discharge.

These and other objects and features of this invention will becomeapparent upon studying the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary topperspective view of the label stacking combination;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stack stabilizer for the apparatus,and its mount;

FIG. 3 is a front end elevational view taken on plane III-Ill of FIG. 1;and

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the apparatus taken on plane IV-IVof FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The combination of thisinvention employs the apparatus disclosed and explained in the aboveidentified copending application, but with mechanism 310 (see especiallyFIG. 2 herein) mounted thereto as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4herein, to cooperate uniquely in combination therewith. In other words,the total combination 8 herein involves apparatus 10 with mechanism 310mounted thereon.

In normal usage of the combination, preceding steps to those ofparticular concern herein regularly include advancement of a label stripconstituting a plurality of integrally inter connected, like printedlabels or the like, label cutting functions to separate the individuallabels, and label folding steps, followed by label ironing and advancingto the stacker. All of these operations are disclosed in the aboveidentified copending application, while in this present application thenovel features lie in the stacking mechanism that receives the labelsfrom the advancing portion of the apparatus.

During operation of the apparatus, as explained in the previousapplication, ironing and advancing of the labels occur generallysimultaneously, employing supports 121, ironers 119, and label advancinggripper bars 116 and 118, which are all elongated cooperative membersextending from the label cutoff zone (not shown) to the label stackingsubassembly 18. The vertically reciprocating ironers 119 are suspendedon the lower ends ofsupport rods, e.g., 119a, the upper ends ofwhichengage cams, e.g., 199fon camshaft, e.g., 198a.

Gripper bars 116 and 118 cooperate with supports 12] and ironers 119,which laterally straddle the bars 116 and 118. Ironer strips 119 supportthe series of labels being advanced, one behind the other, by having thelabel edges resting on these ironers. Gripper bars 116 and 118 move infour directions in the manner indicated by the arrows in FIG. 4. Theyfirst vertically move together to grip the center portions of the seriesof sequential labels (during which the labels are ironed), shiftforwardly toward the stacker subassembly 18 to simultaneously advancethe labels a sufficient distance for another label to be deposited atthe tail end of the line, vertically move apart to momentarily lay thelabels on ironers 119, and then reverse to the starting position forrepeat of this sequence. These movements of gripper bars 116 and 118 areas set forth in the above identified copending application. In so doing,the individual labels are sequentially advanced to the comb elements ofthe stacking subassembly.

Specifically, as each individual label L is advanced to stackersubassembly 18, it is deposited by gripper bars 116 and 118 on afixed-comb-type support which includes a base 182 and a plurality ofspaced, generally parallel, upright, transversely oriented plates 184.Successive labels are sequentially individually deposited on this combformed by the upper edges of these plates, with the previously depositedlabels being temporarily elevated while the new label is insertedunderneath them and on comb plates 184. Hence, a stack is formed byadding labels repeatedly to the bottom of it. These labels are elevatedoff plates 184 by shifting spaced, plate type groups of fingers 186 and186' which project between plates 184 from opposite sides of the comb,and initially beneath the upper surface formed by plates 184. With aspecial movement, to be described hereinafter, these fingers momentarilyrise above this upper surface to lift the forming stack of labelssufficiently to allow another one to be deposited therebeneath, and thendrop the labels down again on the newly deposited label, by the fingersmoving downwardly in reverse direction. This action is then repeated, I

Fingers 186 and 186' are mounted at the outer ends thereof to supports190 and 190', respectively. These supports are attached to the lowerends of a pair of pivot arms 192 and 192', respectively, pivotallymounted on shafts 194 and 194', respectively. Pivot arms 192 and 192'each have an L-shaped configuration, with the two legs of the Lextending on both sides of shafts 194 and 194', and having respectivecam followers 196 and 196' on the ends thereof that are opposite theends which support fingers 186 and 186'. A pair of rotational cams 198and 198 on camshafts l98b and 198a cause these pivot arms or levers 192and 192' to arcuately reciprocate during rotation of the cams, movingthe plate like groups of fingers 186 and 186 inwardly and upwardly toelevate all labels thereon, i.e., the forming stack, and then downwardlyand outwardly to lower the labels onto the newly deposited label onplates 184.

Shafts 198a and 198b, spaced and parallel with respect to each other,are mounted by suitable pillow blocks 314 to the pair of elongated,spaced, parallel, overhead support members 312 and 312'.

Above the stacking comb means is a plurality of four label stack guideelements 252a, 252b, 252C, and 252d, explained in detail in thecopending application. The individual labels L, when elevated duringstacking and when elevated during stack discharge, are guided by theseelements. The elements can be laterally adjusted to accommodate a widelabel, as in the position illustrated in FIG. 3, or to positionsaccommodating smaller labels, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Cooperative with the stacking means, and forming a part thereof, andmore specifically, cooperative with comb 180, with the lifting sets offingers 186 and 186, and with the guides 252ad is the novelmechanism3l0. This mechanism includes a slide member 320 in the slideguide 322, the latter forming part of a mount 324. Mount 324 has a pairof oppositely extending bifurcated portions 324a and 324b for attachmentby suitable bolts 325 to the supports 312' and 312. The center portionof mount 324 extends forwardly toward the discharge or stacking end ofthe machine, generally overlying the slot 311 between mounts 312 and312.

Slide guide 322 is oriented generally vertically, slightly diagonallywith the lower end oriented toward, but not overlying, the label stackareadefined by the guides 252a-d. Slide 320 constitutes an elongatedmember slidably mounted in guide 322, having a stop 328 at the upper endthereof to limit downward movement in the guide 322, and having a foot330 on the lower end thereof to engage the top of the label stack. Foot330 has its lower surface preferably lying in a horizontal plane,thereby being diagonally oriented relative to the main body of guide320. due to the diagonal vertical orientation of slide 320 and guide322. Slide 320 can therefore generally move from a lowermost positionwith stop 328 abutting the upper ends of guide 322, to an uppermostposition with foot 330 abutting the lower surface of guide 322. In itsmost elevated position, and approximately one-third of its traveldownwardly, the slide foot 330 at the base of the slide is outside thezone or area defined by the guides 252ad so as not to overlie the labelsL within the guides. In the lowermost position of the slide, andapproximately the lowermost two-thirds of its travel, the lower end ofthe slide extends over the label zone. Hence, when the stack isinitially forming, and until it reaches the desired height of the stackso as to contain a predetermined number of labels, foot 330 of the slidewill remain in resting engagement with the top of the label stack.Further raising of the label stack will cause the slide to movehorizontally rearwardly sufficiently that foot 330 is out of engagementwith the stack. This enables the stack to be hoisted by elevator 256into a carton positioned around the guides 252a-d. Operation of elevator256 is set forth in the above identified copending patent application.Hence, the special turntable mechanism explained in detail in thecopending application, with its stack elevating and packing device 256,can be advantageously employed without interference from novel mechanism310. Elevator 256 is operated by a power actuator or motor, such as afluid cylinder, all as set forth in the identified copendingapplication. This occurs after the elevator finger is inserted beneaththe stack while the stack is momentarily partially elevated by fingers186 and 186'.

Stated otherwise, as the individual labels are being added to the stackat the bottom thereof, by momentary, limited, temporary elevation of thestack with fingers 186 and 186, the stack is not lifted sufficiently tocause foot 330 of the stack retainer mechanism to move sufficientlyhorizontally to disengage the stack. During high speed verticalreciprocation of the forming stack, the sliding stack retainer 320stabilizes the stack during rapid elevation by inwardly and upwardlymoving fingers 186 and 186, and stabilizes the stack during subsequentrapid lowering of the stack with downwardly and outwardly arcuatemovement of these lifting fingers. The stack is thereby prevented fromspreading apart and becoming disheveled during the high speedreciprocation. When the stack is of desired height, it is furtherelevated to be discharged from the guides and into a receptacle. Inspite of the simplicity of this device, it has been found to workextremely well. Furthermore, when the hoisting mechanism 256 for thepacker assembly 20 is elevated rapidly, the retainer resting upon thelabel stack presents no hindrance to rapid discharge of the labels fromguides 252a-c and insertion of the label stack upwardly into the cartonsupported on the guides 252a-d.

In operation therefore, after the label strips are cut, and if desired,folded, they are individually advanced by grippers 116 and 118 incooperation with ironers 119 and supports 121, each label beingsuccessively deposited on the plates 184 of comb 180, and precedingdeposited labels in the forming stack being momentarily elevated by thearcuate inward and upward movement of fingers 186 and 186 while thegravity bias on stack retainer mechanism causes foot 330 of slide 320 toengage the upper end of the label stack during elevation and reloweringof the stack on the newly deposited label. When the stack reaches apredetermined number of labels, the packer mechanism and specificallythe stack elevating finger 25 6 is actuated'in controlled fashion toengage the bottom label in the stack and hoist the stack of labels upwithin guides 252a-d and into a carton. This causes the retainer slide320 and foot 330 to move not only vertically, but laterally out ofengagement with'the top of the label stack to prevent its hindering thepacking operation. With relowering of finger 256 of the packer, gravitylowers slide 320 and foot 330 of mechanism 310 to cooperate with thesubsequently forming label stack.

This particular apparatus has been found to be uniquely advantageous forthis particular assembly. It is also conceivable that it might bemodified in various respects to suit modified label or other likearticle handling mechanisms. In addition, various additional advantagesand features not specifically recited may be obvious to those skilled inthis art upon reading this disclosure. Hence, the invention is intendedto be limited only by the scope of the appended claims and thereasonable equivalents thereto.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Stacking apparatus for small sheet items such as labels employingsheet item stack support means having a stacking zone, stack elevatingmeans at said zone cooperable with said support means to momentarilyelevate stacked sheet items from said support means a limited amount andsubsequently lower them again and, means to further depositing saidstack for discharge thereof, individual item advancing and depositingmeans for depositing sheet items on said support means in said zonebeneath momentarily elevated stacked items, the improvement comprisingstack stabilizer mechanism having a downwardly biasing stack'engagingportion in said zone, and being vertically movable upwardly anddownwardly with stacked items to stabilize them; said stabilizermechanism being guided to be movable through a first elevated regionwith said stack engaging portion aligned with saidzone, but furtherelevation of said portion causes said portion to move out of alignmentwith said zone to enable vertical removal of a stack from said zone.

2. The stacking apparatus in claim 1 wherein said zone is defined byvertical guides for the stacked items.

3. The stacking apparatus in claim 1 wherein said stabilizer mechanismis arranged to have diagonal motion of said portion with both verticaland horizontal components, controlling said movements both in alignmentwith and out of alignment with said zone.

4. The stacking apparatus in claim 2 wherein said stabilizer mechanismincludes a slide member and guide means therefor, both being orienteddiagonally downwardly toward said zone, said stack engaging portionbeing on said slide member and movable from a lowered region above saidzone to a raised region not above said zone.

5. The stacking apparatus in claim 4 wherein said slide 5 member isgravity biased toward said zone.

1. Stacking apparatus for small sheet items such as labels employingsheet item stack support means having a stacking zone, stack elevatingmeans at said zone cooperable with said support means to momentarilyelevate stacked sheet items from said support means a limited amount andsubsequently lower them again and, means to further depositing saidstack for discharge thereof, individual item advancing and depositingmeans for depositing sheet items on said support means in said zonebeneath momentarily elevated stacked items, the improvement comprisingstack stabilizer mechanism having a downwardly biasing stack engagingportion in said zone, and being vertically movable upwardly anddownwardly with stacked items to stabilize them; said stabilizermechanism being guided to be movable through a first elevated regionwith said stack engaging portion aligned with said zone, but furtherelevation of said portion causes said portion to move out of alignmentwith said zone to enable vertical removal of a stack from said zone. 2.The stacking apparatus in claim 1 wherein said zone is defined byvertical guides for the stacked items.
 3. The stacking apparatus inclaim 1 wherein said stabilizer mechanism is arranged to have diagonalmotion of said portion with both vertical and horizontal components,controlling said movements both in alignment with and out of alignmentwith said zone.
 4. The stacking apparatus in claim 2 wherein saidstabilizer mechanism includes a slide member and guide means therefor,both being oriented diagonally downwardly toward said zone, said stackengaging portion being on said slide member and movable from a loweredregion above said zone to a raised region not above said zone.
 5. Thestacking apparatus in claim 4 wherein said slide member is gravitybiased toward said zone.